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Bell 429

Old 18th Jul 2013, 09:54
  #381 (permalink)  
 
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European sales - more info available, you know I'm not allowed to tell you where to look

Gross weight issue - with FAA and EASA not approving the extra 500lb so far, that may be a sticking point as that translates to range for many operators.
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Old 18th Jul 2013, 10:05
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.
Well,

I don't know what you're talking about Jeremy but I've just found interesting informations regarding the 429 in UK !

Bell dealer expects four 429s in UK by end of 2013
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Old 18th Jul 2013, 10:25
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Ah, well done Double H, presumably this Gary is our own Longbox on PPRuNe?

Lets hope the three additional 429 helis within the next 5 months comes off!

Good luck Gary.
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Old 19th Jul 2013, 10:21
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Thanks Anthony, I am currently doing a UK tour with a corporate ship, it is performing great and everyone who flies her or in her love it. We have a UK registered operating now, there will be another due in August, October and December.
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Old 19th Jul 2013, 10:41
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Great news Longbox, look forward to seeing them around,

Any chances in the future that a 429 will end up as a mount of an air ambulance charity? I know last year that the Canadian reg EMS demonstrator at Farnborough was doing its rounds around the country.

UK Emergency Aviation - Air Ambulance Gallery - C-FTNB


Cheers

Last edited by chopper2004; 19th Jul 2013 at 10:42.
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Old 19th Jul 2013, 11:21
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Well we are working on that, it is a great HEMS platform, the Canadian one I took to 16 charities who all saw it as the next step
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Old 19th Jul 2013, 20:15
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Director of maintenance for an EMS or HEMS unit is invited to make input towards deciding between an EC135 and a B429. His priority is for good technical support, specifically parts and service.

Not a hard choice really!
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Old 19th Jul 2013, 21:09
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Not a hard choice really!
Hello Anthony,

You seem to be well aware of the HEMS business, I'm not at all.

I've just noticed that Air Methods (an US air ambulance provider that doesn't look small) had made the choice of the 135 for their last two orders regarding twin engines aircrafts : 6 135 P2 in December (with 20 407GX, 10 130T2 and 6 350B3 regarding SE) and 6 135 P3 in March at the HAI.

I don't know why they made these choices but the reality doesn't match your categorical statement.

Edit : I've found that Air Methods uses 429 too but I Don't know how many, someone has the figures regarding the number of 429 and 135 in the fleet ?
.

Last edited by HeliHenri; 19th Jul 2013 at 21:34.
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Old 19th Jul 2013, 21:39
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Well its pretty simple really, they clearly didn't ask the director of maintenance for his input!

Either that or they sacrificed short terms gains (through lower acquisition cost) over longer term benefits such as those acquired through responsive service and support.

Will be interesting to see over time how the dispatch rates and maintenance turn around times compare between the two as well as overall operating costs including depreciation.
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Old 19th Jul 2013, 21:51
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More likely to do with the fact that, at 7,000 lb, the 429 has extremely short legs. Hence Bell's push to bend or revisit the FAR 27 regs. (Based on the latest reports, it sounds like the company's hopes are now focused on the FAA's review of FAR 27 regs.)

I/C
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Old 20th Jul 2013, 06:37
  #391 (permalink)  
 
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Long box.....are you visiting the Bristol area during your tour? Would be great to see/ fly the 429 from the Heli Museum ,and might be a useful venue for others in the area??
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Old 20th Jul 2013, 06:52
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I/C,

Thus stuff is all written by the "spin doctors" from hell!

Part 29 Compliance "expense"? B/S if you have a Cat "A" supplement already.

Pull the wool with the FAA anyone? Its happened before as we all know.

The joke is the "extras" required to add the "increased gross weight kit".

You are right at 7000lbs it borders on useless.
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Old 20th Jul 2013, 09:47
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Looks a nice bit of kit
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Old 21st Jul 2013, 01:26
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Agree that it "looks nice" but spec one out using the Bell data at 7000lbs GW and you will soon realize 2 things.

1/ It will be very sparse or,

2/ You won't be going very far in it.
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Old 21st Jul 2013, 03:31
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I spent a week flying with the 429 at Air Zermatt and everyone there seemed very happy with it, from the pilots to the mechanics to the owner of the company and they are even talking about a second one.

So presume thats a good sign.
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Old 21st Jul 2013, 05:22
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Few pics from that shoot.



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Old 11th Sep 2013, 00:30
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Avicopter continues its "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" interpretation of intellectual property rights...

AC3X2


I/C
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Old 23rd Sep 2013, 15:35
  #398 (permalink)  
 
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IC: Most amusing!

Bell Helicopter has announced a signed agreement with Heli-Charter Ltd for the first Bell 429 configured for Helicopter Air Ambulance (HAA) operations in the United Kingdom. The recently appointed Bell Helicopter Customer Support Facility and Independent Representative held the grand opening of its new facility adjacent to Manston International Airport in Kent on September 21.
Bell Helicopter signs agreement for first Bell 429 Air Ambulance in UK | Vertical Magazine - The Pulse of the Helicopter Industry
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Old 23rd Sep 2013, 15:59
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Hi Savoia,

I saw that press release too and wondered what charity would be considering the Bell 429.

You probably saw my post a few years back to Farmborough 08 with the red Bell 429 in EMS config and the Bell reps talking about the Bond family being entertained and having an interest in the 429 for the charities here.

Cheers and will find out more in the next few days at Helitech
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Old 23rd Sep 2013, 16:56
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Great stuff! Would be good to find out and, once its operational, to hear how it compares.
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